How to decode a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) play a crucial role in uniquely identifying the manufacturer of a vehicle and providing specific details about the vehicle type and manufacturing location. The first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) compose the WMI, offering insights into the car’s origin. For instance, the WMI “JA3” is designated to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, signaling that the vehicle is a passenger car produced by this renowned manufacturer. This particular identifier also informs us that the manufacturing took place in Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, between 1992 and 2002. Hence, this essential coding system enables tracking and identification of vehicles globally, including models like the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage

WMI: JA3

Model Years Covered: 1992-1994, 1996-2002
Example VIN: JA3AY26A0XU031968
Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Minato-Ku
State or Province: Tokyo
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage:

Known VDS for a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage
AY26A	AY31C	AY11A	AY36C

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
U	Mizushima		Japan		JA3AY26A0XU031968

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mitsubishi Mirage’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage. It’s commonly found on a plate that is visible through the windshield.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Under the hood, check the front of the engine block. The VIN can sometimes be found stamped onto the metal surface.
Examine the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Look directly above the tire, the VIN might be stamped into the car frame.
Check beneath the spare tire. The VIN may sometimes be found in the area where the spare tire is stored.

What info can a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is likely from the year 1999, providing insights into the age and potential historical context of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The vehicle is described as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, giving a basic understanding of its size and accommodation capacity.
Engine Type and Fuel Efficiency: The engine displacement is specified as 1.5 liters or 1500.0 cubic centimeters, indicating its size and potential power output. Additionally, the vehicle operates on Gasoline and utilizes a Multipoint Fuel Injection system for fuel delivery, possibly highlighting its efficiency mechanisms.
Safety Features: The VIN indicates the presence of front airbags for both the driver and the passenger in the 1st row, emphasizing the vehicle’s safety considerations.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was produced in Mizushima, Japan, offering insights into its origin and potentially the manufacturing quality and standards.
Make and Model Information: The specific make is indicated as Mirage. This, alongside the model year and body class, can help in identifying the vehicle’s market segment and design attributes.
Unique Vehicle Identifier: The provided sample VIN (JA3AY26A0XU031968) and vehicle descriptor (JA3AY26A*XU) offer a unique identification for detailed history reports and specific vehicle information tracking.

Don’t have your 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	1500.0
Displacement (CI)	91.53561614209
Displacement (L)	1.5
Doors	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Mirage
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	MPI
Plant City	Mizushima
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Japan
Series	LOW
Vehicle Descriptor	JA3AY26A*XU
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JA3AY26A0XU031968